2010 Connecticut power plant explosion

Industrial disaster in Middletown, Connecticut February 2025 February 7, 2010 11:17 am EST Middletown, Connecticut, United States 6 dead, less than 50 injuredhttp://www.csb.gov/assets/document/KleenUrgentRec.pdf March 10, 2011 CSB Investigation Final Report https://web.archive.org/web/20101225070655/http://www.csb.gov/assets/document/KleenUrgentRec.pdf December 25, 2010 dead 41.5536 N 72.5956 W it yes Connecticut#USA Power plant The 2010 Connecticut power plant explosion occurred at the Kleen Energy Systems power station in Middletown, Connecticut, United States at 11:17 am EST on February 7, 2010. The plant had been under construction from September 2007, and was scheduled to start supplying energy in June 2010.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7183316/Connecticut-gas-explosion-at-power-plant-leaves-up-to-50-dead.html Connecticut gas explosion at power plant 'leaves up to 50 dead' February 7, 2010 Telegraph Media Group Limited February 7, 2010 London Nick Allen https://web.archive.org/web/20100210175651/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/7183316/Connecticut-gas-explosion-at-power-plant-leaves-up-to-50-dead.html February 10, 2010 dead The initial blast killed five and injured at least fifty; one of the injured later died in hospital, bringing the total death toll to six.6th Worker Dies of Injuries From Kleen Energy Blast https://www.courant.com/2010/02/19/6th-worker-dies-of-injuries-from-kleen-energy-blast/ March 10, 2011 Explosion The blast at the 620 MW on, Siemens combined cycle gas and oil-fired power planthttp://kleenenergy.com Kleen Energy Systems February 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100212092910/http://kleenenergy.com/ February 12, 2010 deadhttps://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61619Q20100207 "Mass casualties" in Connecticut blast: police Thomson Reuters February 7, 2010 Alan Elsner February 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100210225735/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61619Q20100207 February 10, 2010 live occurred at 11:17 am, and was reported at 11:25 am EST.https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/nyregion/08explode.html Casualties Expected From Connecticut Explosion February 7, 2010 The New York Times February 7, 2010 Robert D. McFadden https://web.archive.org/web/20100210195954/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/nyregion/08explode.html February 10, 2010 live The plant's manager, Gordon Holk, said that contractors and other workers from O & G Industries, Ducci Electric, and Keystone Construction and Maintenance Services were at the site when the blast occurred. The explosion occurred at the rear of the largest building, the turbine hall, which was destroyed.https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/hc-middletown-explosion-0207,0,4493539.story Witness To Middletown Explosion: 'There Are Bodies Everywhere' February 7, 2010 The Hartford Courant February 7, 2010June 2021 medicmedic Some residents reported "earthquake-like tremors"http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/07/connecticut.explosion/ At least 2 dead in Connecticut power plant explosion CNN February 7, 2010 February 8, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100210224620/http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/07/connecticut.explosion/ February 10, 2010 live from at least 10 mi km away, although the blast proved not to be seismically detectable.http://www.theday.com/article/20100209/NWS01/302099922/1019%26town%3D Middletown explosion didn't register on Yale earthquake scale February 9, 2010 Benson Judy The Day February 9, 2010 September 28, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110928042602/http://www.theday.com/article/20100209/NWS01/302099922/1019%26town%3D dead Another resident of the area felt that it was more like a sonic boom.http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Explosion-At-US-Power-Station-In-Middletown-Connecticut-Mass-Casualties-At-Kleen-Energy-Plant/Article/201002115544321?lpos=Home_Carousel_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15544321_Explosion_At_US_Power_Station_In_Middletown_Connecticut%3A_Mass_Casualties_At_Kleen_Energy_Plant https://web.archive.org/web/20100211122858/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Explosion-At-US-Power-Station-In-Middletown-Connecticut-Mass-Casualties-At-Kleen-Energy-Plant/Article/201002115544321?lpos=Home_Carousel_Region_4&lid=ARTICLE_15544321_Explosion_At_US_Power_Station_In_Middletown_Connecticut%3A_Mass_Casualties_At_Kleen_Energy_Plant dead February 11, 2010 Mass Casualties In US Power Station Blast Sky news February 7, 2010 Possible causes According to authorities, neither terrorism or an intentional crime was the cause of the explosion, though criminal negligence was being investigated.https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703630404575053132425186178?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth Blast Probe Looks at Gas-Line Clearing The Wall Street Journal February 9, 2010 February 10, 2010 Mark Peters Kris Maher https://web.archive.org/web/20100210073812/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703630404575053132425186178.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth February 10, 2010 live A neighbor of the plant said that there was natural gas stored there, which was later said to be related to the explosion. Flames were reported to have been coming from a gas pipe until the gas was shut off.https://www.ctvnews.ca/5-dead-12-wounded-in-u-s-power-plant-explosion-1.481637 Some dead in Connecticut power plant explosion February 7, 2010 CTV February 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100210061341/http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20100207/Connecticut_explosion_100207/20100207/?hub=TorontoNewHome February 10, 2010 dead The local fire marshal said the explosion was the result of an attempted purging of natural gas from a pipeline as a test, a procedure known as a blow-down, and according to a state official who had been briefed on the incident, the explosion had been sparked by a "flame device," possibly a propane heater.https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703427704575051463676913330?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_4 Deadly blast hits Connecticut Plant The Wall Street Journal February 8, 2010 February 8, 2010 Tim Aeppel https://web.archive.org/web/20100211131728/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703427704575051463676913330.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_4 February 11, 2010 live The president of the Connecticut AFL–CIO, however, disagreed with this explanation, saying it was more likely that an inadvertent spark had caused the explosion, rather than an open flame. Reaction and follow-up Middletown deputy fire marshal Al Santostefano later said that there had been fewer than 50 people injured, as some of the workers had made it out alive, and that there were no signs of life in the ruins of the plant.https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-us-middletown-explosion,0,5124968.story Official says fewer than 50 hurt in Conn. power plant explosion; number of deaths is unknown February 7, 2010 Los Angeles Times February 7, 2010June 2021 medicmedic At least 12 of the injured were treated at local hospitals.https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna35283135 Many feared dead in Conn. power plant blast February 7, 2010 NBC News February 7, 2010 Emergency personnel and almost 20 ambulances were at the scene shortly after the blast occurred, using helicopters to transport victims while search-and-rescue crews with dogs scoured the rubble.http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-connecticut-explosion,0,6767939.story?track=rss At Least 2 Dead in Massive Power Plant Explosion February 7, 2010 The Hartford Courant February 7, 2010 October 5, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20111005045115/http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-connecticut-explosion,0,6767939.story?track=rss dead Middlesex Hospital in Middletown said it was receiving patients from the blast. At least one victim was also taken to Hartford Hospital. By 1:30pm local time, at least 100 firefighters were at the scene and the fire had been extinguished. Connecticut governor M. Jodi Rell was being briefed by authorities and opened the state's emergency management center, and she later traveled to the scene of the explosion. Connecticut State Police said they were sending detectives to investigate the explosion.http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/07/national/main6183458.shtml 2 Dead, 250 Injured in Conn. Explosion February 7, 2010 CBS Interactive, Inc February 7, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100209101134/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/02/07/national/main6183458.shtml February 9, 2010 dead Rescue officials at the plant turned away reporters because hazardous material leakage was possible. Nearby hospitals and surrounding states also offered to aid in the rescue process. The Joint Terrorism Task Force also arrived at the site of the explosion but were only there to monitor, as local and state officials were handling the investigation.http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201002071641dowjonesdjonline000146&title=fbi-officialconnblast-doesnt-seem-to-be-terrorist-act FBI Official: Conn. Blast Doesn't Seem to Be Terrorist Act February 7, 2010 Dow Jones Newswires February 7, 2010 The federal Chemical Safety Board deployed a seven-person team to the site, which was expected to be on the scene by Monday, February 8,http://www.csb.gov/newsroom/detail.aspx?nid=305 CSB Deploying Investigation Team to Fatal Explosion at Kleen Energy Power Plant in Middletown, Connecticut February 7, 2010 February 7, 2010 but was later prohibited from entering the site. The mayor of Middletown said the plant will ultimately be rebuilt,http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/02/08/2010-02-08_mourning_in_middletown_search_for_workers_in_aftermath_of_kleen_energy_plant_exp.html Mourning in Middletown: Grim search for workers' bodies in aftermath of Kleen Energy Plant explosion New York Daily News February 8, 2010 February 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100211185928/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/02/08/2010-02-08_mourning_in_middletown_search_for_workers_in_aftermath_of_kleen_energy_plant_exp.html February 11, 2010 live a statement that was confirmed by a Kleen Energy official, who said that construction would resume once the investigation into the incident was completed.http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/02/10/news/doc4b72ddca15843127056062.txt Official says construction of plant will resume The Middletown Press February 10, 2010 February 14, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120220074543/http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2010/02/10/news/doc4b72ddca15843127056062.txt February 20, 2012 dead In February 2011, it was announced that Kleen Energy and O&G Industries will build a memorial park to honor those who died or were injured during the blast. The plant underwent extensive repairs during the remainder of 2010 and early 2011, and is scheduled to open in April 2011.http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2011/02/06/news/doc4d4f4250d8148416467183.txt EXPLOSION ANNIVERSARY: Kleen Energy plant set to open in April Middletown Press, Feb 6, 2011 February 11, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120319010750/http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2011/02/06/news/doc4d4f4250d8148416467183.txt March 19, 2012 dead Investigation The investigation into the incident started the day after the explosion, and was conducted by agencies at the local, state and federal levels. It was expected to focus on whether human error or insufficient safety protocols were at fault. In particular, according to the local fire marshal, the investigation was to look at whether electricity was cut off from the area, whether workers had been evacuated before the purging of the gas line, and whether ignition sources were present.http://www.courant.com/community/middletown/power-plant-explosion/hc-middletown-explosion-investigation-0208,0,6463112.story Explosion Investigation Focusing on Safety Issues Hartford Courant February 8, 2010 February 8, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100210014906/http://www.courant.com/community/middletown/power-plant-explosion/hc-middletown-explosion-investigation-0208%2C0%2C6463112.story February 10, 2010 dead Several days before the explosion, the Chemical Safety Board had approved new recommendations on gas line purging in the United States following an explosion at a 2009 ConAgra Foods plant explosion in North Carolina in 2009 that killed four people.http://ohsonline.com/articles/2010/02/08/csb-votes-to-approve-urgent-gas-code.aspx?admgarea=news CSB Votes to Approve Urgent Gas Code Occupational Health & Safety February 8, 2010 February 8, 2010http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/newsdesk/2010/02/08/new-power-plant-explosion/ New Power Plant Explosion Philip Poynter Construction Safety February 8, 2010 February 8, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20120303074140/http://www.ppconstructionsafety.com/newsdesk/2010/02/08/new-power-plant-explosion/ March 3, 2012 dead Despite the Board's interest in the case, a spokesman said on February 9 that their team of investigators was being denied entrance to the site of the explosion, on the grounds that the area was a crime scene. (The Chemical Safety Board did eventually deploy a team of ten investigators to the site.http://www.csb.gov/assets/news/document/CSB_statement_2_25_2010.pdf Statement of CSB Investigations Supervisor Don Holmstrom Updating the Public on the CSB's Investigation of the Catastrophic Accident at Kleen Energy, Middletown, Connecticut US Chemical Safety Board February 25, 2010 September 20, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20101224055505/http://www.csb.gov/assets/news/document/CSB_statement_2_25_2010.pdf December 24, 2010 dead) The USCSB also released a video documenting their investigation.Deadly Practices https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjxBtwl8-Tc https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/rjxBtwl8-Tc 2021-12-15 live en January 17, 2020 On August 5, 2010, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced that it planned to fine seventeen companies involved in the construction of the plant a total of $16.6 million. OSHA said that it had found a total of 371 safety violations in the construction of the plant, 225 of which it considered deliberate.https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/08052010 US Labor Department's OSHA proposes $16.6 million in fines in connection with fatal Connecticut natural gas explosion | Occupational Safety and Health Administration The Chemical Safety Board released its final report on June 28, 2010.http://www.csb.gov/investigations/detail.aspx?SID=91&Type=2&pg=1&F_All=y Kleen Energy Natural Gas Explosion US Chemical Safety Board June 28, 2010 September 20, 2010 References 30em External links Kleen Energy site proposal (doc) Siemens Combined Cycle Power Plants https://web.archive.org/web/20100104204152/http://www.energy.siemens.com/hq/en/power-generation/power-plants/gas-fired-power-plants/combined-cycle-power-plant-concept/ 2010-01-04 Connecticut power plant Power plant explosion Category:2010 explosions Category:Explosions in the United States Category:Middletown, Connecticut Category:February 2010 in the United States Category:Gas explosions in the United States